Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti on
Tuesday reiterated that Rome rejected India's claim to
jurisdiction of the case of two Italian marines accused of
killing two Indian fishermen during an anti-piracy mission in
2012.
"Our government confirms the rejection of Indian
jurisdiction," said Pinotti about the case of marines
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who have been
prevented leaving India for over two years even though no
charges against them have yet been presented.
"They were on an anti-piracy mission and therefore covered
by the immunity of being State officials and this certifies the
international ambit of the case".
The Italian government has said it hopes that India's newly
government of Narendra Modi will be open to negotiations, while
stressing that it will take the case to international
arbitration if the pair are not allowed to come home soon.
"It's still possible to seek an agreement with the new
Indian government, but if an agreement isn't possible and we
find ourselves faced with attempts at deferment or rejection,
we'll go ahead with the arbitration procedure and we hope to
have them here as soon as possible".
Pinotti also spoke via video link to the marines at a Navy
event and showed the pair Italian national team World Cup shirts
with their names on the back.
Latorre and Girone are accused of killing fishermen
Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki after allegedly
mistaking them for pirates and opening fire on their fishing
trawler while guarding the privately owned Italian-flagged
oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala on February
15, 2012.
The marines have been living and working at the Italian
embassy in India pending charges in the case that has stressed
relations between India and Italy.
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